The average price of a pint of beer in British pubs has surged above £5 - reaching £5.08, according to new data.
This marks a significant increase from the £4.82 average reported by the Office of National Statistics just two months ago in December 2024.
Pub-goers are now paying around £1 more for a pint than they would have done three years ago, according to data from The Morning Advertiser.
The price hike comes amid what industry experts describe as a perfect storm of rule changes, including increases to taxes on alcohol, packaging and employer costs.
London remains the most expensive region for beer drinkers, with pints averaging £6.16 - the only area where prices exceed £6.
The Midlands offers the cheapest pints, with an average cost of just £4.47, following a 6p price drop since August 2024.
Drinkers outside the capital will see increases
PA IMAGESScotland recorded the steepest percentage increase at 7.19 per cent, with prices jumping 34p to £5.07.
Wales saw prices rise by 3.64 per cent to £4.84, while the North West experienced an 18p increase to £5.03.
London's prices have climbed by 24p since August, representing a 4.05 per cent increase from £5.92 to the current £6.16.
The South East and South West also saw increases of 2.54 per cent and 0.8 per cent respectively.
Beavertown Neck Oil has emerged as Britain's most expensive beer, with an average price of £6.36 per pint across the country.
The craft beer reaches its highest price point in London, where drinkers pay £6.92 for a pint.
The North East offers the cheapest Neck Oil at £5.70, showing significant regional variation.
The brand dominates as the priciest option across multiple regions, commanding £6.58 in the South East, £6.84 in the South West, and £6.70 in Scotland.
In Wales, a pint of Neck Oil costs £6.38, while the East and West Midlands serve it at a more modest £5.70.
Other premium brands also command high prices, with Peroni leading in London at £6.93 and Heineken topping the North West at £6.75.
Despite the overall price increases, there is some positive news for beer drinkers as 10 out of the 33 beers surveyed showed price drops since August 2024.
Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, Wainwright and Camden Hells all became cheaper during this period.
Had beer prices followed CPI inflation since 1987, a pint would cost £2.61 todayGettyPopular brands including BrewDog Punk IPA, Carling, Carlsberg, Pravha, Madri and Asahi also saw price reductions across the UK.
At the other end of the price spectrum, Tennent's lager emerged as the nation's most affordable pint at £4.02 in British pubs.
The Morning Advertiser, which conducted the research in January 2025, notes that average prices can fluctuate and these figures represent a snapshot in time.
